The album was produced by Steely Dan co-founder Walter Becker, who is credited as an official member of China Crisis on the record sleeve. Becker apparently requested to meet with the band after hearing their song "Papua" from their 1983 album Working With Fire And Steel. He was subsequently signed on as producer to begin work on the album with the assistance of Phill Brown, sound engineer with the Rolling Stones and Jimi Hendrix.[2]

In his review, Stewart Mason of AllMusic notes that "the group's songwriting is much improved, [with] the failed instrumental experiments and tiresome dance workouts that occasionally marred their earlier albums replaced with a newfound melodic sophistication and lyrical acuity."[3]

The album is the most successful by the band, peaking at no. 9 on the UK charts and staying in the Top 100 for 22 weeks. The singles "Black Man Ray" and "King in a Catholic Style" both reached the Top 20.[2]